#I remembered something and felt like rambling

[arkaiveofurown]

him as a boyfriend

Pairings: Sabo x Reader, Ace x Reader, Law x Reader

Word Count: ~2-3k per character

tags: fluff, established relationship

my masterlist here ♡

Sabo

Sabo leaned back against the wall of the ship, his arms crossed as you sat nearby, chatting with a crewmate. You could hear their voices, but they were just background noise as your mind wandered to Sabo. He caught you glancing at him, a small smile tugging at his lips.

“You alright?” he asked, always attuned to your moods, even without asking directly.

You nodded. “Yeah, just… thinking.”

“About what?” he pressed, though the tone in his voice was soft, knowing not to push too much.

“I don’t know… just feels weird sometimes, you know? Being out here… so free.”

Sabo’s smile widened. “You should be. You’re free to do whatever you want. No one can control you, not now.”

You hesitated, remembering how different things were when you’d first met him, when he’d been bound by so many rules and expectations. “I just… never knew what it felt like to have this much freedom. You know, no one telling me what to do.”

Sabo nodded, his eyes intense as he looked at you. “I get that. Growing up with people telling me what to do, who to be… I never want that for you. You get to decide who you are. I’ll always support you, no matter what path you choose.”

His voice was steady, but you could tell that there was a deep yearning in him. A yearning to see you be exactly who you were, free from the shackles that once held him back.

Sabo as a boyfriend is the one who encourages you to be yourself, to live freely, because he understands how hard it is to be controlled.

——

You were talking with a few other crewmates about a recent accomplishment—a small victory that felt like a huge step forward for the Revolutionary Army. As you spoke, Sabo appeared from behind, standing silently by your side.

“I’m glad to see you getting the recognition you deserve,” he murmured, eyes gleaming with pride. His voice wasn’t loud, but it carried a weight.

You smiled at him, grateful for his steady presence. “It was a team effort,” you said modestly.

“No, it was your effort,” Sabo said firmly, turning toward you with a serious expression. “I’m proud of you. You’ve come so far, and I don’t think you even realize how much you’re capable of.”

He didn’t need to say more—his tone said everything. He never bragged about his own feats, but when it came to your accomplishments, he had no problem shouting from the rooftops. He wasn’t just proud of what you’d done; he was proud of who you were.

Sabo as a boyfriend is the one who always praises your achievements, no matter how big or small, because he knows you deserve to be recognized.

——

You had just gotten off the phone with a friend, your voice light and upbeat. When you hung up, you turned to Sabo, who was already watching you with a fond smile.

“You really don’t hang up on me like you do with everyone else,” you commented.

He gave a small laugh, shaking his head. “You don’t make me want to rush it. I like hearing you talk. I like… just being there with you. Even over the phone.”

You raised an eyebrow. “You usually hang up on people as soon as they start talking about business.”

Sabo smirked. “Yeah, but with you, it’s different. I don’t mind hearing your voice. Even if you’re just rambling about something silly, it’s the best part of my day.”

There was a quiet sincerity in his words that made your heart warm. Sabo didn’t just love you because of your strengths; he loved the little things, like your voice, your thoughts, the way you saw the world.

Sabo as a boyfriend is the one who will never rush you off the phone, because he loves hearing you speak, no matter what you have to say.

——

You hadn’t been expecting to see Sabo for a while—he was off on a mission with the Revolutionary Army, and the last time you spoke, he had been vague about when he’d return. But one day, as you were sitting alone in your room, you heard the familiar sound of footsteps outside.

The door swung open, and there he was, looking like he hadn’t been gone for months instead of just a few weeks. His eyes scanned the room and landed on you instantly. “I knew it was you.”

You blinked. “What do you mean? I’m not wearing anything special.”

He grinned, walking in with that unmistakable swagger. “You think I can’t recognize you from a mile away? You’re wearing the same bracelet you always wear on your left wrist. I’ve memorized every little thing about you.”

You blinked again, surprised. “You really do pay attention, huh?”

“Of course I do,” he said, sitting beside you, the same soft smile playing on his lips. “How could I not? You’re my priority. Every little detail about you matters.”

It wasn’t just that he could pick out the smallest things—it was the way he made you feel so seen, so important.

Sabo as a boyfriend is the kind of guy who remembers every detail about you. Even if you’re in disguise or afar, he’ll still know it’s you, because he has memorized everything about the way you move, speak, and even what you wear.

——

No matter how tough things got, how dangerous their missions were, Sabo always made sure to smile at you in the most gentle, reassuring way. It was as if his smile alone could calm you even when the world felt chaotic.

One night, after a particularly intense argument with some of the crew over the next mission, you were walking alone on the deck, your mind spinning with frustration. You didn’t hear him approach until his shadow fell over you.

“Hey,” his voice was soft, a contrast to the loud voices that had filled the ship earlier. He stepped closer, offering you that signature, gentle smile.

“I know you’re upset,” he began, speaking with a calm confidence. “But I want you to know that you’ve got every right to be frustrated. You just have to believe that things will work out.”

You didn’t say anything, simply looking up at him, drawn to the warmth in his eyes. It was like everything else around you faded, and you were left with just his smile—soft, reassuring, and always present, no matter what.

Sabo’s hand found yours, a small gesture but one that spoke volumes. “Whatever happens, we’ll figure it out together. You’re not alone.”

Sabo as a boyfriend is the one who offers you that gentle smile in the hardest moments, the kind of smile that reminds you that, no matter what, he’s there for you.

——

You had heard rumors that Sabo would be returning soon, but you didn’t know exactly when. So, when you walked out onto the deck one morning and saw him standing there, his familiar blue coat fluttering in the wind, your heart skipped a beat.

He turned as he heard your footsteps, his eyes lighting up when he spotted you. A soft smile spread across his face as he took a step toward you, reaching for the vivre card tucked in his pocket, something that always made you feel safe—because it wasn’t just a card. It was his promise.

“I’m home,” he said simply, his voice low and steady.

You laughed, shaking your head, a rush of emotions flooding you. “You don’t even know how badly I missed you.”

Sabo’s smile didn’t fade as he stepped closer, pulling you into his arms. As he held you, you could feel the warmth of his embrace, the quiet reassurance in the way he touched you. “I missed you more than you know,” he murmured into your hair. “And you don’t have to worry, I’m always coming back to you. I keep your vivre card with me, so I know where you are, and I’ll always make sure you’re safe. No matter what happens, I’ll find you. It’s not even a question.”

You couldn’t help but feel a rush of relief as you wrapped your arms around him. No matter how many missions took him away from you, Sabo always made sure you knew that you were his priority. The distance, the battles—it didn’t matter. As long as he had your vivre card, he would always know where you were, and he’d always come back to you.

Sabo as a boyfriend is the one who keeps your vivre card close to his heart, making sure that your safety is his number one priority. No matter the distance or danger, he will always go to you.

——

The evening was calm. You and Sabo found a quiet place to sit, and despite everything happening in the world, for once, everything was perfect.

He leaned back, his legs stretched out in front of him, and glanced over at you. You caught him staring and smirked. “What is it?”

His eyes softened, the playful smirk from earlier now gone. “Just thinking. I don’t think I’ll ever find someone like you.”

You gave him a side-eye. “Sabo, you don’t have to say that to be sweet.”

“No,” he said, shaking his head. “I mean it. There’s no one else for me. I don’t care where this revolution takes us or what happens next—I just know that I’m not leaving you behind. You’re my future. And nothing’s going to change that.”

You felt your heart skip a beat. He was usually quiet, but when it came to matters of the heart, Sabo’s words always felt like a promise.

Sabo as a boyfriend is the one who makes a vow to stay with you, no matter the storm or the fire—the one who gives you a future in his heart.

——

Ace

“Ace,” you groaned, “why are you talking like that?”

He grinned down at you, chin propped on his hand, doing a terrible impression of a rich old noble. “My dearest, I do declare, the sun hath risen and so must we—lest the eggs be cold and the pirates be rowdy.”

You shoved a pillow in his face.

“I’m serious!” he said, muffled. “We mustn’t disappoint our crewmates, for they are in need of our stunning presence at breakfast!”

“Are you high on sea salt already?”

Ace burst out laughing, collapsing half on top of you. “Come on, that was a good one!”

You grumbled something into your pillow.

He poked your cheek. “Admit it. You smiled.”

You didn’t respond.

“You snorted. I heard it.”

“Did not.”

“I’m hilarious.”

And somehow, despite wanting sleep more than life itself, you were already laughing. Because it was impossible not to when he was like this—ridiculous and grinning and entirely too pleased with himself.

Ace as a boyfriend is the kind of idiot who performs a full comedy sketch at 6 a.m. just to hear you laugh before breakfast.

——

You were halfway through lunch when Ace stabbed the last piece of grilled fish off his plate. It was his favorite—the one Thatch made with extra spice, seared just right. He stared at it for a full second.

Then, silently, he slid it onto your plate.

You blinked. “…You’re giving that to me?”

He made a face like he was in deep spiritual agony. “Please appreciate the sacrifice.”

You snorted. “You sure?”

“No.” He shoved his chopsticks down dramatically. “But I love you, and this is how I prove it.”

“You could also say the words.”

“I just gave you my favorite food, what more do you want from me?!”

Ace as a boyfriend is the guy who eats like a wild animal—but still gives you the last bite like it’s the highest form of love. He won’t say it in big romantic speeches, but in the way he gives up his favorite things for you, you’ll always know where his heart is.

——

“So I was telling Haruta about your left hook,” Ace said, loud enough that the entire galley could hear. “Thing’s got range. Like a whole sea king’s tail!”

You groaned into your rice bowl. “Can you not brag about my punches to everyone?”

“Why not? It’s hot!”

Around you, crewmates started laughing. You heard Izo mutter, “Here he goes again,” while Jozu sighed into his drink.

Ace leaned across the table, grinning proudly. “You’re amazing. I just want people to know.”

“And if I want to lay low?”

“You started dating me. We passed ‘low-key’ like fifty ports ago.”

Ace as a boyfriend is someone who can’t shut up about you—and doesn’t want to. He’ll shout your name across the ocean if he thinks you did something cool. Even when it’s embarrassing, even when it’s loud, he’ll make sure the world knows he’s proud of you.

——

“You punched someone because they called me ‘dead weight’?!”

Ace looked totally unrepentant, knuckles scuffed and a grin spreading across his face. “They’re lucky I didn’t melt their boots to their ankles.”

“Ace, we’re not supposed to start fights over words!”

“Oh, right,” he said, throwing an arm around your shoulder as if nothing was wrong. “Next time, I’ll just accidentally sneeze and set their hair on fire.”

You glared at him.

“I love you,” he said simply, voice softening for just a second.

“And?”

“And no one gets to talk like that about the person who means everything to me.”

He paused, a flicker of something deeper flashing across his face. “I don’t like leaving people behind. Not when they matter. And you… you matter.” His eyes were fiery, but this time, the fire wasn’t about rage. It was about loyalty. “If someone tries to hurt you—if they try to put you down—I won’t back off. I won’t run away. You’re not alone in this, and I’m not gonna let anyone forget that.”

You tried to hold firm. You really did. But his arm tightened, heat rolling off his skin, and that stupid grin cracked your resolve right in two.

Ace as a boyfriend is the kind of man who defends your name like it’s the flag of his ship. He doesn’t just protect you—he honors you. Even your reputation is something sacred to him.

——

It was a quiet evening—rare. The sea was calm, the crew mellow, and Ace had convinced you to lie on the deck with him, watching the stars between drifting clouds.

You leaned into his chest, the slow thump of his heart grounding you.

“Y’know what I love about you?” he asked, voice surprisingly soft.

You smiled against his shirt. “My devastating charm?”

He chuckled. “That you’re just you. Doesn’t matter where you came from. Doesn’t matter who your family is or what you’ve done. You’re here. With me. That’s enough.”

You tilted your head to look up at him.

He met your eyes. No teasing. No grin. Just Ace—raw and honest.

“I’ve seen too many people judged for where they come from,” he said. “That’s never gonna be you. Not with me.”

Ace as a boyfriend is someone who loves you because of your soul, not your story. He doesn’t care who you were before, or what the world said about you—he sees who you are now.

——

That night, the sea turned colder. Not dangerous—but enough to make the whole crew bundle up. You curled tighter in your jacket, shivering despite yourself.

Then a warm hand slid into yours.

Ace tugged you close, resting your head against his chest as a soft wave of heat spilled from him—gentle, steady, safe.

He kissed the top of your head. “Better?”

“Mmm. You’re warm.”

He smirked. “That’s what I’m here for.”

You stayed like that, pressed to his heartbeat, the wind howling around you while his fire wrapped you up from the inside out.

Ace as a boyfriend is your shield against every cold night and every colder thought. When the world gets harsh, he wraps you in warmth—literal and emotional. With one touch, he melts away the chill.

——

The Moby Dick was quiet—rarest thing in the world. After a long battle and a long celebration, everyone had finally passed out. Ace had dragged you to the highest part of the deck, where the moon cut the sea into silver, and the stars looked close enough to catch.

He lay back with his arms behind his head. You curled into his side without needing to ask.

It was peaceful. And for once, Ace wasn’t running his mouth or teasing. He just watched the sky.

Then, out of nowhere, he said it. Low. Real.

“I never thought I’d get this.”

You glanced up. “Get what?”

He looked down at you like you were something sacred.

“This. You. Us. A crew that feels like home. A person who makes me want to stay.”

You opened your mouth, but he kept going—like if he didn’t say it now, it might burn a hole in his chest.

“I used to think I wasn’t supposed to be here. That the world didn’t want me in it. But you…” He swallowed. “You make me feel like I matter. Like I’m me—not Roger’s kid, not a Whitebeard commander. Just Ace. Just yours.”

You didn’t speak. You just held him, fingers tangling in his hair, while his arms pulled you in like he never planned to let go.

The ocean moved quietly around you, the stars above, the fire in his chest, and that look in his eyes like he’d found his place at last.

Ace as a boyfriend is the one who finds his home in you—and makes damn sure you feel like you’ve got one in him, too.

——

Law

You were humming again.

Not a real song—just something you made up, wandering around the Polar Tang with a broom in hand, sweeping while swaying slightly to your own rhythm. It had no melody. No structure. Just something light and stupid and undeniably you.

From behind, you heard it.

A low, familiar “Tch.”

You turned, grinning. “Something to say, Captain?”

Law stood at the door to the observation room, arms crossed, expression carefully flat.

“You’re off-key.”

“Rude.”

“You’re sweeping the same spot for ten minutes.”

“Multitasking,” you said cheerfully, spinning the broom.

He exhaled slowly, as if your entire existence was testing his patience.

But he didn’t walk away.

You cocked your head. “You don’t actually hate it.”

He raised an eyebrow. “Didn’t say I liked it.”

“You haven’t moved.”

“…I was watching to make sure you didn’t fall on your face again.”

You grinned. “So you were watching.”

His lips twitched—barely—and he looked away, ears a little pink. “Tch.”

You stepped closer, broom tapping his foot. “You like my humming.”

He didn’t answer.

You bumped your shoulder into his. “You think it’s cute.”

He closed his eyes for a second, muttering something under his breath, then finally said, “It’s tolerable.”

You laughed. “That’s a huge compliment coming from you.”

He didn’t deny it. And when you resumed humming on your way down the hall, he stayed in the doorway a little longer—watching, listening, lips tugged in the faintest smile.

Law as a boyfriend is the kind of man who secretly enjoys the little things about you—your bad humming, your quirks, your mess. He’ll roll his eyes and pretend it’s a nuisance, but deep down, he loves it more than he’ll ever admit.

——

“You skipped breakfast.”

His voice was calm, but the sharpness in it told you this wasn’t a casual observation.

You looked up from the mess table, caught mid-bite of an energy bar. “It’s fine, I wasn’t really—”

“Hungry? That’s not the point.”

Law sat across from you, setting a small tray down in front of you—your favorite warm soup, and a few cuts of fruit you were sure he’d stolen from the kitchen himself.

“You need proper food,” he said, tapping the tray. “You haven’t been sleeping well either.”

You blinked. “Are you tracking my habits or something?”

He didn’t even blink. “Yes.”

You stared.

He stared back.

“…You’re serious.”

“I’m a doctor,” he said smoothly, then paused. “And your boyfriend. You think I wouldn’t notice?”

You lowered your gaze to the soup, feeling your face heat as you quietly picked up the spoon. You didn’t need to say thank you—he already knew. This was his version of care: watching, remembering, fixing.

Law as a boyfriend is the kind of man who will monitor your health better than any physician. He’ll prioritize your safety and well-being over anything else—even if you don’t realize you need it.

——

You were lounging in his office, legs up on the couch, half-dozing while he scribbled something at his desk. The scratching of his pen was the only sound—until it abruptly stopped.

“You know what’s insane?” Law said suddenly, eyes still on the page.

You blinked, looking up. “Hm?”

He didn’t even wait for you to answer. “That episode of Sora, Warrior of the Sea—the one where Germa 66 attacks the Vega Kingdom? Stealth Black phases through an entire wall of seastone-infused armor plating. It’s not physically possible, but they don’t explain it. Not once.”

You sat up a little, blinking. “…Wait, what?”

“And people always forget, but that was the first time Stealth Black used that mid-air cloak burst move. You can actually trace the evolution of it across three issues after that. See, the author was setting it up early, but everyone thinks it just came out of nowhere.”

He finally looked at you then—and froze.

You were just staring at him, mouth slightly open.

“What,” he said flatly, though his ears were already turning pink.

You blinked slowly. “Are you fanboying right now?”

Law narrowed his eyes. “It’s a narrative analysis.”

You grinned. “Law, you’re gushing.”

“I’m discussing the mechanics of a fictional battlefield maneuver,” he corrected, straightening his notes. “It has strategic value.”

“You just quoted a comic from memory.”

He muttered something under his breath and picked up his pen again, clearly trying to move on.

But you weren’t done.

“You like Stealth Black the most, don’t you?”

He didn’t look at you. “…No comment.”

“Is it because he’s broody and wears black?”

Still no eye contact. “Coincidence.”

“You’re blushing.”

He dropped his head into his hand with a groan. “I shouldn’t have said anything.”

You scooted over, nudging his arm. “No, I like this side of you. The soft, nerdy one who thinks cloaking technology is cool.”

“…It is cool.”

You laughed, and he glanced at you from under his bangs, the faintest smile tugging at his lips despite himself.

Law as a boyfriend is the kind of man who’ll accidentally let you see the dorky fanboy underneath the surgeon’s coat—and once he does, he’ll let you in on every secret obsession, because your love makes it safe to be exactly who he is.

——

Law wasn’t the type to loudly declare his feelings, nor was he one to give extravagant displays of affection. Instead, it was in the smallest gestures that you could see how much he cared. It was the way he always made sure you had a spot beside him during the quieter moments on the ship, how he’d prepare your favorite tea if you were feeling down, or how he’d bring you the rarest fruits from islands the crew visited—those little things that made all the difference.

One evening, as you sat on the deck, lost in thought, Law approached with a plate of sliced fruit.

“You’ve been distracted all day,” he remarked, handing it to you without fanfare. “Eat something. It’ll help.”

You looked up at him, taken aback by the thoughtfulness. “How did you know I was hungry?”

“I didn’t,” he said with a small smirk. “But I know you tend to forget to eat when you’re deep in thought.”

You chuckled softly and took the fruit, finding the quiet care in his actions oddly comforting. It wasn’t over-the-top, but it was his way of showing affection.

Law as a boyfriend is the kind of person who shows his love through small, practical gestures. He’s not loud about it, but every action he takes is meant to make your life a little easier, a little happier.

——

You’d seen Law in battle. You’d seen him command a crew, outwit warlords, hold his own against legends. But now, he was sitting beside you in his quarters, the lamplight warm on his skin as he slowly unbuttoned his shirt.

He didn’t look at you—he rarely did when he was being vulnerable—but he moved carefully, letting the fabric fall away to reveal the tattoos you’d traced only in glimpses.

“Go ahead,” he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper.

You blinked. “What?”

His chest rose and fell with a deep breath. “Touch them. If you want.”

It felt sacred—like he was letting you in to a place no one else got to see. You reached out, fingers brushing the inky black letters spelling out DEATH, the swirl of symbols running down his arms. Your fingers traced the contours of old scars and fresh tension.

“These aren’t just marks,” he said, eyes closed. “They’re everything I’ve survived. Everything I carry.”

You leaned in, brushing a kiss to the side of his throat. “And you let me carry them too.”

He nodded.

Law as a boyfriend is the one who lets you see every part of him—not just his body, but the weight behind the ink, the past he rarely speaks of. He trusts you enough to let you close, even to the pieces that hurt.

——

It was one of those rare quiet nights—no battle, no storm, no urgent detours. Just you and Law curled up on the couch in his quarters, a thin blanket over your legs, and a book you weren’t really reading anymore resting on your chest.

You glanced at him as he scribbled notes in the margin of a medical journal, brow furrowed, concentration absolute. Even now, with ink on his fingers and the room barely lit, he was so composed it was unfair.

“Law.”

He hummed, not looking up.

“Why do you love me?”

He paused mid-sentence.

You watched him blink once, then close the book without marking his page. When he finally looked at you, his expression wasn’t confused—it was serious, almost pained. Like the question itself tugged something loose inside his chest.

“Is that something you’re doubting?” he asked.

You shook your head. “No. I just… wondered.”

He sat forward, elbows on his knees, hands clasped like he was gathering his thoughts carefully.

“I don’t love you because of your strength, or because you’re clever, or kind, or good with people. All of those things are true,” he said quietly. “But if you lost them all tomorrow, I’d still feel the same.”

You felt your breath catch.

Law leaned back, watching your face like he was daring you to disagree. “I love you just because. No reason. No conditions. Just… you.”

You sat in stunned silence for a beat. Then, slowly, you reached for his hand.

He didn’t move away.

You rested your head against his shoulder, and he let out a breath, threading his fingers through yours.

Law as a boyfriend is the kind of man who doesn’t love you for what you give or do—he loves you just because. He doesn’t need a reason. You, in all your pieces, are more than enough.

——

You didn’t hear the door open at first—just the sound of his boots, slow and steady down the hall. The crew had said the mission might take days. Maybe weeks. You’d told yourself not to wait up.

But here you were anyway. Curled up on the couch in his quarters, half-asleep with a book pressed to your chest.

He stopped in the doorway, pausing like he always did when he first laid eyes on you after being gone too long.

“…I didn’t mean to wake you.”

Your head lifted immediately. “Law.”

He walked in without another word, coat sliding off his shoulders, footsteps silent. He looked exhausted—dark circles under his eyes, blood still staining the edge of his sleeve. But his gaze was only on you.

You stood. “You’re hurt.”

“Already stitched.”

“You should rest—”

“I needed to see you first.”

You blinked as he reached you. His hand came up, cupping the back of your head like he was grounding himself. Forehead to yours, breath soft against your skin.

“I thought about you every moment I was gone,” he said. “Not because I was afraid of dying. But because the thought of not coming back to you…” He trailed off, voice lower now. Rougher.

Your fingers slid into the hem of his shirt, feeling the warmth of him, alive and whole and here.

“I don’t care how far I go,” he murmured, “how much blood I shed. I’ll always come back.”

“You promise?”

He looked at you then—really looked. Not just with his eyes, but with everything he’d never been able to say out loud until now.

“I live for you.”

Law as a boyfriend is the kind of man who never forgets to come back home to you. He lives for you.

[andielle]

prologue|chpt. 1|chpt. 2|masterlist

You were born with powerful, photographic memories. A blessing, because you did amazing things in life. A curse, because you remembered every single inch of your parents' faces when they died. Meanwhile, you got to know Mark Grayson in college, he doesn't know who you really are, but you know him—you know him as Invincible, the 'hero' that caused your parents to die. What happens when you take comfort in the person that caused you grief?

chapter 1: therapy | 0.6k words | warnings: vivid depictions of violence

SEVEN MONTHS AGO, THE DESTRUCTION OF CHICAGO

YOU desperately pumped at your mum’s chest, trying to get her to wake, even for a minute. People screamed around you, and some watched, as you were pathetically crying and pumping with all of your strength, trying to resuscitate her. But all you ended up doing was get more red on your hands. 

You looked behind yourself to see an injured Invincible standing amidst the chaos. His costume was tattered, tainted with blood. His right goggle was shattered, exposing his eye, and for a moment, you could piece together what he really looked like behind that mask.

With a gust of wind, he was gone. You hear a building collapse, and you were quickly grabbed away by a passerby.

—

CURRENT TIME

“I saw him yesterday,”

“Who did you see?”

“Invincible,” you revealed, “but he wasn’t in costume.”

The woman sitting in front of you uncrossed her legs and leaned forward. “Did you interact with him?”

The woman was Jean, your therapist for months now.

Ever since the incident, you started staying with your grandparents. It was really bad, you would hear news after news, about Chicago. You would feel sick to your stomach whenever you heard about the countless lives taken away. The train… The collapsed buildings… It was a disaster.

Your grandparents stopped watching the news for a while, and it slowly got you better. However, they felt that it was best that you got weekly therapy sessions, so here you were. But your night terrors never stopped, sometimes your screams could be heard from houses away.

That was back then though, the nightmares continued and you still got visions of your parents, but it was better than before. Jean helped you to cope.

“I did, he was introduced to me by a friend. But,” you looked at Jean before looking down again, “I expected myself to feel angry, or break down right there even. But he was just a normal guy—I don’t know,” you admitted.

“The last time I saw him, he was in costume—so seeing him out of it, it was like it was a separate identity,” you rambled, hoping that you made some sense.

“Sometimes it's hard to believe that superheroes do lead normal lives when they’re not wearing the costume,” Jean said, understanding. “What did you feel when you talked to him?”

“Well, a part of me felt bad,” Jean looked a bit surprised at your statement.

“He really is just a normal guy out of the suit,” you continued, “His father beat the shit out of him, went missing, and left him with the lives of many people taken away. I just wonder if he’s just like me—constantly mourning and constantly miserable.”

For a moment, both of you were silent.

You had no idea what was going through Jean’s head. But it was true that you were curious about Mark. You wondered how Amber and him came to be; if he was genuine; if he really was your average Joe out of the costume, away from the danger?

“If you’re comfortable, you could try to befriend him—you know, something casual. Maybe it could give you closure,” Jean broke the silence. “Just be careful, you know how dangerous it can be to be affiliated with superheroes."

As much as the idea felt weird, she did have a point. Maybe it really would give you closure, if you knew what Mark went through. You both might even have gone through a lot of similar things, have similar interests. But still, befriending the Invincible? That's if you even see him again—but knowing his superhero identity, he would be too busy to make new friends.

You took it into consideration nonetheless.

[thelampisaflashlight]

I come from a family of very superstitious individuals, though I, myself, do not put much credence to the paranormal.

This isn't to say I doubt the experiences other people have had -with a few exceptions due to personal reasons- but I follow much the same logic as, say, Houdini or Ghost Files' Shane Madej, in that I need proof.

There's the old saying, "Seeing is believing" and have I seen things?

Yes.

Shockingly, yes.

And you might be saying, "Lamp, if you've seen something supernatural, something that you couldn't explain, then why don't you believe?"

It all comes back to the human imagination.

Now this isn't to say I think people are imagining things when they see ghosts and other otherworldly things.

However, there already exists several known phenomenon that can scientifically explain how or why we might be seeing them.

Pareidolia, for example, in which we find faces in objects, is a very normal quirk of how our brains are wired.

We are also more susceptible to seeing/hearing things when we are tired or stressed.

Our minds are wired to help us remain vigilant in situations where we might encounter danger, because while we might be perfectly safe, even imagined dangers can trigger a real fear response.

It's why when someone has a dream that someone did something mean to them, they might be angry/upset when they wake up.

But I digress.

So, what did I see?

Well, first things first, I think it's important to give you some context.

When I was ten years old, my mother passed away quite suddenly.

She had been sick for some time, but had hidden it well enough that by the time her symptoms were impossible to hide anymore, it was already too late to help her.

Without going into too much detail on how she died, I can tell you that it was incredibly traumatic for me.

So much so that I spent the ages of eleven to seventeen in therapy, and I still, to this day, have not wholly unpacked the entirety of that day with anyone.

The night after her passing, however, is when this event occurred.

Now, as I said a moment ago, the human imagination -the human mind- is a fantastic thing.

And when we are tired and stressed, as I was, we are perhaps more inclined to see things that aren't truly there.

My mother, for as long as I knew her, always sat at the same spot at our dining room table; In a well worn wooden chair in front of a chest that I never got to see the contents of -not an important detail, but a far gone curiosity now- and her sweater, a gray and pinkish-purply thing made of that yarn that always seems to go to fuzz, was draped over the back of it.

To my mother, one of the most important things to do when someone past, was to view the body in order to say goodbye.

When my paternal grandmother passed two years prior to my mother's own death, she'd taken my hand in her own and we stood by her bedside and said our goodbyes.

I did not get to say goodbye to my mother.

And I think, perhaps, that's why I saw what I did.

I had reached out, placing my hand on the back of the chair, and turned to look out at the window... and there was my mom.

Sitting in the chair beside me.

I need you to understand when I say this, it could not have been a person standing outside, and before anyone says, "Well, it could have been your own reflection staring back at you."

I do not look like my mother.

Or at least I didn't look like her back then.

I was a very pale, blond child, and my mother was a brunette, who, quite infamously, resembled Frida Kahlo.

In fact I've played a game with my siblings a number of times called "Mom or Frida Kahlo", the resemblance is that uncanny.

But what got to me the most was the expression on her face.

She was angry.

And it frightened me.

In that moment, I had felt real fear.

I was so taken aback I went to go find my father, and when I told him what happened, he just said, "That makes sense."

That makes sense.

I didn't tell him that she looked unhappy.

And, for a long time, I forgot about it.

But every so often the memory comes back to me.

I can write it off a million different ways.

Yet...

[cankersoregirl]

I was afraid I’d lose him. So I got there late. And… as I entered, I saw him about to take pictures by himself. The first thing that I felt was… I wanted to hug him. No matter how bad I was to him, he’s still there for me. Every time that I’ve fallen or torn apart, he always runs up to me. He’ll come running and hug me. The same goes for this time, where he shows up. Am I happy? I’m really delighted. I really am. I’d like to thank Save for always being by my side till this very day.

DMD Friendship the Reality: It Takes Two EP. 5

[moxie-girl]

DRDT SPOILERS

WAIT. WHAT IF EDEN GRABBED THE TAPE FOR A NON MURDER REASON N GAVE IT TO SOMEONE ELSE BC THEY ASKED HER FOR HELP? and now she’s realizing she might have helped Arei’s killer unwillingly, maybe why she kept repeating that line about friends helping each other?

[julla]

briefly scrolled though the bigbang subreddit like recommended and - true, it definitely is active! which is fun. one of the first things i saw is that someone got into listening gd bc they knew him from the shoe world 😭😭 i mean that's just amazing lmao

[momentomori24]

I was going skimming through VLR again to screenshot some scenes I wanted to talk about, but while I was doing that I suddenly remembered how bullshit the 9BP game overs were. Y'know, the endings where Sigma has enough points to leave but immediately gets jumped by everybody and prevented to leave? Yeah, those ones. I'm not surprised that they pounced on Sigma, he did betray their trust for his own gain so that feeling of betrayal leading to that reaction is all fine and understandable except why the hell don't other characters get this same treatment?? I swear, everyone else excluding Luna has screwed the group over at some point some where some timeline, but they all get off scott free. Especially Dio, and personally that is just an actual affront to justice and my sanity, I freaking swear. When Sigma, the nicest (albeit most perverted) guy in the cast attempts to escape, all love for the man is lost and he gets stomped on, his arm chopped off and abandoned and left to die in a heartbeat, just no hesitation, but when goddamn betray-happy cultish asshatish douchebag Dio screws everyone and attempts to escape, all of a sudden the characters forget that-- oh I don't know-- tackling that twink is a totally valid option but instead they just go "alas, there is no point anymore he's already won" so this man just gets to walk out that door all proud of himself like what the fuck?? How is that fair in any way??? What the hell are they all smoking to be fine with that????

[ghirahimbo]

also, in totk there’s very few mentions of the champions and calamity ganon, and a lot of the stuff from botw seems to have been retconned, like the sheikah technology etc. i feel like that would be such a bittersweet world for post-calamity link to be living in 😭

yes..... yes :')

It's one of my main issues with TotK, to be honest. I think Majora's Mask was able to get away with being a sequel because they took Link literally out of Hyrule, leaving the previous story intact. TotK, because it wanted to take place in that same Hyrule without leaning too heavily on BotW, ended up practically dismantling the old story instead. I think there are many ways they could have paid respectful homage to BotW without the new game completely revolving around it, and retconning/ignoring so much kinda defeats the purpose of it being a sequel at all in my mind? But yes, I do think it would be bittersweet for him 😭

[loderlied]

sharing some thoughts about deactivating here because it’s been difficult pondering idk.

[masterfuldoodler]

girlbossed too hard.... unless...

[youhavethewrong]

do you guys remember when Attack On Titan had a fucking Looney Tunes Babies style spin off where all the characters were in junior high and the titans were just bullies and eren was mad at them because they ate his hamburg steak and it was legitimately better than the original

[grimdarknokia]

no bond like the bond between the lesbian and the song they played on loop the morning they found out the girl they fancied didn’t feel the same way

[frogaroundandfindout]

the fact that bruce and batman are such distinct entities but also other times he's like "the batman is who I truly am, bruce wayne is a mask" but also batman is a curse but also but also but also

baby girl, WHY are you like this? see, this shit is why we had to drag out that zur en asshole arc for so long

he makes me mentally ill <3

He reminds me of those actors that act like they’ve been irrevocably changed and traumatized by their own method acting

Meanwhile some other heroes (dick for example) are like it really sucks not being able to tell normal people the full truth about my life and it makes dating rough, but it’s still doable

[jils-things]

this feels too soon to say because its still not well over a month that i started uni but like...

im quite happy by how things are going now- it doesn't feel all too restrained unlike my past school years. and apart from that, i feel a lot more independent being able to travel miles away from my home which has been my biggest anxiety as i got older. just the fear of getting lost spooks me a whole lot! even if i'm travelling through a planned route, going all by myself is probably the bravest thing i did this year and i say this as an introvert who doesn't go out all too often

[technikki]

i 100% support the strange videos my youngest sister enjoys because i loved the same sort of loud memey nonsense at her age and i know this is simply the inherent nature of middle schoolers. on the other hand i really miss pingas

[magicalgirl6]

remember the april fool's day of smile precure. that was good I liked that. yayoi’s a disaster. anyway poisson d'avril or whatever hi